The Dent County Commissioners held their regular meeting at the Dent County Courthouse Thursday morning. At the meeting, District 1 Commissioner Bobby Simpson reported that most of the major damage that was caused by last weeks flood has been repaired. He said that crews are now getting back to routine grading and would incorporate fixing the minor damages along the way. Simpson also said that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2400, 5015, 5150 and 5520 and a crew would be on Dent County Road 6080 with the backhoe cleaning out logs that had jammed up against a low water bridge. District 2 Commissioner J.J. Tune reported that all roads are passable, except for Dent County Road 2540 and it will remain closed until FEMA has a chance to assess the damage. Tune also said that grading would be done on Dent County Roads 2025, 5320 and 5380. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported that Emergency Management Director Brad Nash told him that SEMA will be in town today to assess business and property damage and if anyone has damage they would like to have looked at, to please contact Brad Nash at the Fire Station. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley wanted to remind everyone that Wednesday is the last day to request a mail out ballot for the April 8th election and she also wanted to let everyone know that the courthouse will be open April 5th from 8 am until noon for absentee voting. The next meeting of the Commission will be Monday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Police Department released their reports involving assault and disorderly conduct. On March 15th at 6:52 in the evening, an officer was contacted at the station in reference to domestic violence. The report revealed at that a 22-year old Salem male had assaulted a 21-year Salem female and restrained her from leaving a residence. Further investigation led to his arrest for 2nd degree domestic assault and felonious restraint. He was incarcerated pending the application for warrants. On March 16th at 2:15 in the afternoon, an officer was detailed to the Wal-Mart parking lot in reference to a disorderly female. The report led to arrest of a 57-year old female for an open container and disorderly conduct. She was incarcerated and will be issued a summons to appear in court upon her release. On March 19th at 11:13 in the morning, an officer was detailed to the Salem High School in reference to an assault. The report led to the arrest of two 17-year old Salem males for disorderly conduct. Both were issued a summons to appear in court and released. On March 26th at 1:43 in the afternoon, an officer was detailed to the 700 block of West Butler in reference to a domestic disturbance. The report revealed that a 32-year old Salem male had assaulted a 24-year old Salem female. He was arrested for 3rd degree domestic assault and 3rd degree assault on a law enforcement officer. Also arrested was a 46-year old Salem male for failure to obey a lawful order of a police officer and interfering with an arrest. Both were issued a summons to appear in court and released.

Dent and surrounding counties had more severe weather Thursday night with hail and high winds affecting the area. Around 7:20, a tornado was reported near Edgar Springs in Phelps County and another was spotted about two miles north of Gladden on Highway 19 at about 8:05. The big culprit of this storm was hail as it broke out windows in a home in western Dent County at about 7:20, then covered the ground at Lenox with 1.75 inch size hail at 7:30, followed by 1.75 inch size hail being reported at Highway 32 and Route J intersection in Salem at 7:40. Inch size hail was reported in many locations in Salem, plus 1.75 inch hail was reported at Montauk at 8:15 and about tennis ball size hail came down near Bunker at 8:20. The city of Licking had high winds and had large hail do significant damage to a number of vehicles on a car lot at about 8:00, and golf ball size hail reported tore through screens and damaged the siding of a number of trailers at about 8:05. A full assessment of the damage in all counties will be done this morning.

The Salem Baseball Tigers scored six runs in the 6th inning to come from behind and beat the Potosi Trojans, 7-2. Lewis Carroll went 3-3 with two RBI, while Andrew Karr and C.J. Smith each had two hits and an RBI for Salem. Ethan Curley went the distance giving up eight hits and two runs as he struck out four and walked only one. Salem is now 2-0 on the year and they will travel to Cabool Monday for SCA play at 4:30.

The St. Louis Blues will be in Detroit tonight to face the Red Wings starting at 6:30. You can hear the game on KSMO. The Blues will then host the Chicago Blackhawks Saturday night at 7:30. Again, you can hear the game on KSMO Radio.

Chris Duncan went 1-for-2 with an RBI single to lead the St. Louis Cardinals past the Florida Marlins, 2-1, in Grapefruit League action. Troy Glaus added the other RBI for the Cards, while Skip Schumaker went 2- for-3 with a run scored. Kyle Lohse hurled five scoreless innings, surrendering three hits and a walk while fanning four batters, to get the win. The Cardinals will travel to Springfield, Missouri to face the Red Birds tonight at 7:00 and tomorrow at 1:00. KSMO will join the game in progress tonight and carry the entire game on Saturday.

Hank Blalock smashed a two-run homer to help lead the Texas Rangers past the Kansas City Royals, 8-5, in Cactus League action. John Buck belted a solo home run for Kansas City, which also got two hits apiece from Alex Gordon and Joey Gathright. Mike Maroth took the loss after allowing five runs on six hits in three innings of work.

Kansas City Royals catcher Miguel Olivo had his suspension reduced from five to four games by Major League Baseball on Thursday. The club is also waiting to find out whether outfielder Jose Guillen's 15-day suspension will be lifted. According to a report on the Royals website, Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association are nearing an agreement on a tougher drug policy, which would actually eliminate the suspension for Guillen.

Funeral services for James L. Bone of St. James, age 53, will be held Saturday at 1:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in St. James. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 Friday evening. Interment will be in the High Gate Baptist Cemetery in High Gate, Missouri. A full military honor guard will be at the graveside.

Funeral services for Gerold Lee Smith Sr. of Cherryville, age 65, will be held Saturday at 1:00 at the Britton-Bennett Chapel in Steelville. Visitation will be today from 2:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Smith Family Cemetery in Cherryville.

Funeral services for Elizabeth Glenore Snodgrass of Salem, age 91, will be held Monday at 10:00 at the Wilson Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be Sunday from 6:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Gideon Bibles.

Funeral services for Gladys C. Parsons of Arnold, age 82, will be held today at 10:00 at the James & Gahr Mortuary in St. James. Visitation will be Sunday from 4:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the St. James Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Cuba Church of God.

Funeral services for Richard R. Schlueter of Rolla, age 86, will be held Tuesday at 11:00 at the James & Gahr Mortuary in Rolla. Visitation will be Monday from 6:00 to 8:00. Memorials are suggested to Hospice.

Funeral services for Clayton Michael Woodward of Rolla, age 43 will be held Thursday at 11:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in Salem. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00. Interment will be in the Green Forest Cemetery.

Funeral services for Deborah Ann Cort of Rolla, age 49, are incomplete at this time, but are under the direction of the James & Gahr Mortuary in Rolla.

Today..Cloudy early before becoming partly sunny this afternoon, high of 48.
Tonight..Partly cloudy, low of 35.
Saturday..Cloudy with a 30% chance for afternoon showers, high of 50.
Saturday night..40% chance for showers, low of 42.
Sunday..70% chance for showers and thunderstorms, high of 65, low of 51.